Jaguar Xj Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Jaguar Xj car check
Is the Jaguar Xj reliable? We analysed 909,077 real MOT tests across 81,250 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Jaguar Xj? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Jaguar Xj is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Jaguar Xj.
Jaguar Xj Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Jaguar Xj. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Jaguar Xj MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Jaguar Xj to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Jaguar Xj Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Jaguar Xj fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Jaguar Xj Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Jaguar Xj owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Jaguar Xj MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Jaguar Xj year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 636 | 91.8% | 17,912 | 27,675 | 42,460 |
| 2019 | 2,076 | 91.5% | 17,196 | 26,998 | 41,420 |
| 2018 | 4,063 | 90.9% | 21,675 | 33,772 | 50,375 |
| 2017 | 6,887 | 90.0% | 26,216 | 39,506 | 58,220 |
| 2016 | 9,295 | 88.2% | 28,941 | 45,233 | 67,582 |
| 2015 | 9,531 | 86.7% | 30,767 | 48,360 | 71,272 |
| 2014 | 11,696 | 84.7% | 36,854 | 57,106 | 82,721 |
| 2013 | 15,158 | 83.7% | 39,982 | 62,234 | 89,621 |
| 2012 | 14,948 | 84.4% | 41,767 | 65,030 | 92,428 |
| 2011 | 25,202 | 83.4% | 43,652 | 68,790 | 98,614 |
| 2010 | 24,643 | 83.0% | 42,916 | 69,334 | 100,436 |
| 2009 | 11,230 | 80.5% | 42,284 | 65,354 | 94,853 |
| 2008 | 19,109 | 80.3% | 45,204 | 69,682 | 100,147 |
| 2007 | 29,129 | 79.1% | 47,727 | 74,243 | 105,216 |
| 2006 | 36,268 | 78.9% | 47,874 | 74,810 | 105,678 |
| 2005 | 32,379 | 78.7% | 49,170 | 75,379 | 105,515 |
| 2004 | 51,019 | 78.5% | 50,913 | 77,784 | 108,703 |
| 2003 | 62,241 | 78.3% | 52,819 | 80,834 | 111,414 |
| 2002 | 29,053 | 78.5% | 52,608 | 75,899 | 102,110 |
| 2001 | 36,739 | 78.8% | 57,187 | 79,856 | 105,626 |
How Long Does a Jaguar Xj Last?
Based on 81,250 Jaguar Xj vehicles on UK roads.
Jaguar Xj Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Jaguar Xj MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Jaguar Xj
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.8% MOT pass rate from 636 tests
67.3% MOT pass rate from 10,741 tests
The best year to buy a used Jaguar Xj is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.8% across 636 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Jaguar Xj Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar Xj THIS CAR | 76.7% | 909,077 | 86,183 mi | 38 yrs |
| Jaguar X-type | 73.4% | 1,912,556 | 80,596 mi | 25 yrs |
| Jaguar Xf | 80.8% | 1,374,522 | 65,620 mi | 18 yrs |
| Jaguar S-type | 74.5% | 942,176 | 77,805 mi | 27 yrs |
| Rover 216 | 66.9% | 445,477 | 77,433 mi | 36 yrs |
Compared to the Jaguar X-type (73.4% pass rate) and the Jaguar Xf (80.8% pass rate), the Jaguar Xj sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Jaguar Xj you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Jaguar XjShould you buy a used Jaguar Xj?
The Jaguar Xj has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.7% across 909,077 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Jaguar Xj are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (34,485 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (14,052), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (12,020). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Jaguar Xj owner drives around 3,561 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Jaguar Xj models stay on UK roads for around 38 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.